Rigathi Gachagua to Skip NCIC’s Summon, Challenges Commission to Go After Ruto’s Allies

• The NCIC summoned former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua over remarks warning of potential post-election violence in 2027
• NCIC Chairperson Samuel Kobia said the commission is working with state agencies to hold Gachagua accountable
• Through his lawyer Kibe Mungai, Gachagua accused the NCIC of bias and double standards, arguing that his statement was a constitutional warning against election rigging
• Gachagua’s legal team questioned the commission’s neutrality, pointing to alleged unpunished inciteful remarks by President William Ruto’s allies

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has responded to the summon issued by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).

The NCIC summoned Gachagua over remarks he made warning of possible unrest during the 2027 General Election.

At the heart of the standoff is a controversial comment Gachagua made during an interview, where he warned that if the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) rigs the 2027 poll, the resulting violence would make the 2007 post-election chaos look like a “Christmas party.”

NCIC Chairman Samuel Kobia stated that there is nothing festive about the death, adding the commission was working with other state agencies to hold Gachagua accountable.

Why will Gachagua not honour NCIC summon?

In a defiant response through his lawyer, Kibe Mungai, Gachagua accused the NCIC of bias, insisting that the commission is engaging in selective law enforcement.

The former DP challenged the commission to first pursue allies of President William Ruto, whom he claimed had made more inflammatory statements without consequence.

Gachagua's legal team has insisted that his statements were protected under Article 33 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression.

In a detailed letter, Mungai maintained that Gachagua was not inciting violence but warning against it.

He argued that the former deputy president has a constitutional duty under Articles 3, 38, and 91 to defend democracy and uphold the will of the people.

"Our client warned that if the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission attempts to manipulate the 2027 elections, the country may experience worse violence than in 2007. He referred to 2007 as a ‘Christmas party’ to show the scale of potential unrest if electoral justice is not upheld," noted Mungai.

How did Gachagua challenge NCIC?

Gachagua’s camp further accused the NCIC of double standards, pointing to past remarks made by Ruto’s close allies, including Tiaty MP William Kamket, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, and Nandi senator Samson Cherargei.

These leaders, the statement noted, had issued provocative declarations suggesting plans to rig the 2027 polls in favour of Ruto, but the commission had been silent.

"The commission should address statements from the president’s backyard before summoning our client," said Mungai.

He further criticised NCIC for allegedly turning a blind eye to other politicians and public figures who have made inciting or discriminatory statements.

Among those mentioned were Daadab MP Farah Maalim, Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama, and MUHURI board member Khelef Khalifa.

According to Gachagua’s legal team, these individuals were summoned but never sanctioned, raising questions about the commission’s neutrality.

"In light of the foregoing, our client respectfully demands clarity as to whether the Commission remains committed to executing its constitutional and statutory mandate in a fair, impartial and non-discriminatory manner," Gachagua's team noted.

Are there plans to arrest Gachagua?

As earlier reported, former Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala alleged that Ruto's administration was planning to arrest Gachagua.

Malala claimed that Ruto had become intolerant of dissent, targeting former allies to consolidate power.

He argued that even former president Uhuru Kenyatta, despite political differences, never attempted to jail Ruto, and dared the president to try arresting Gachagua.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke